2010 Harley-Davidson Vrscf

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation in July 2016 based on forty-three (43) Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ).During the course of this investigation ODI received a total of 145 VOQs related to the alleged defect on the subject motorcycles.Owners allege they experience a sudden and complete loss of brakes on one or both wheels.To better understand the cause of the braking issue on the subject motorcycles, ODI requested NHTSA's Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) conduct inspections and testing of affected vehicle braking systems.Through its work, VRTC determined that deposits were forming on the valves in the Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) of the Antilock Braking System (ABS). These deposits could prevent the proper function of the HCU and render the brakes ineffective.To understand why deposits were forming in the HCU, Harley Davidson completed an analysis of the Dow 460 brake fluid used as original equipment on the subject motorcycles and determined that it had stability issues if left in the brake system for an extended period of time.Harley Davidson found that if a brake fluid flush was not conducted as outlined in the owner?s manual for the motorcycles, and was left in the system for a period of time beyond their recommendation; deposits could form in the HCU.Through further testing, Harley Davidson identified an alternate, commercially available, brake fluid that did not have the same stability issues as the original fluid and could stop the proliferation of any current brake system deposits.ODI sent Information Request (IR) letters to Harley Davidson and Dow Chemical (the supplier of the brake fluid on the subject motorcycles) to collect information about the subject bikes and the alleged defect.Harley Davidson responded in full on Sept 30, 2016 and Dow responded with a confidential submission on October 25, 2017.ODI analyzed the information contained in both IR responses and concluded that motorcycles manufactured during Model Years (MY) 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 were failing at a rate greater than their peers.Based on this analysis and the brake fluid study conducted by Harley Davidson, a group of motorcycles was identified that were potentially affected by the instability of the original brake fluid.2008 marked the introduction of ABS on Harley Davidson motorcycles and a change in the Dow 460 brake fluid used in the 2012 MY vehicles provided the bases for the scope of the affected population.With recall action 18V-076 taken by Harley Davidson this investigation is closed as further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: https://www.nhtsa.gov/ using the complaint identification numbers attached to this resume.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY-DAVIDSON VRSCF MOTORCYCLE. WHILE RIDING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE REAR BRAKE REMAINED ENGAGED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND CAUSED THE REAR BRAKE TO HEAT UP AND SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ALLOWED TO COOL DOWN FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HERITAGE HARLEY-DAVIDSON INC (2595 OGDEN AVE, LISLE, IL 60532, 630-420-1942) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE REAR CALIPER WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER FIVE WEEKS. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND, IN THE PROCESS, THE CONTACT NOTICED CORROSION IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V076000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER NEEDED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIRS AND REIMBURSE THE COST OF PREVIOUS REPAIRS, WHICH WERE DUE TO DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE BRAKE FLUID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,565.

NHTSA ID

11081899

Incident

Sep 22, 2015

Mileage

12,565 mi

THE FUEL GAUGE ON MY 2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON V-ROD MUSCLE FREQUENTLY FAILS. EVEN AFTER COMPLETELY FILLING THE TANK, THE GAUGE FLUCTUATES IN ITS READING, SOMETIMES SAYING I ONLY HAVE 3/4 TANK, AND SOMETIMES 1/4 OR LESS. WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF STEADY RIDING, THE GAUGE SHOWS THE TANK AS BEING COMPLETELY EMPTY. I HAVE TAKEN THE BIKE TO TUCSON HD, WHERE THEY RECENTLY REPLACED THE ENTIRE GAUGE CLUSTER, BUT THAT HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE GAUGE CONTINUES TO FAIL DESPITE THE REPAIR, INDICATING A CONSTANT LOW/NO FUEL CONDITION. *TT

NHTSA ID

10417181

Incident

Jul 24, 2011

Mileage

3,762 mi

I WASHED THE 2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON VRSCF MOTORCYCLE WITH WATER FROM A HOSE. THE NEXT DAY THE GAUGE CLUSTER HAD A SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER VISIBLE. THE DIGITAL READOUT ON THE CLUSTER CYCLED ERRATICALLY UNTIL FINALLY STOPPING ON ONE SECTION AND WAS THEN UNRESPONSIVE UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT DOWN. BIKE IS STILL UNDER MANUFACTURER WARRANTY, BUT ISSUE SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10399848

Incident

May 3, 2011

Mileage

1,230 mi

SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 26.0.2): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER: HD-48650). New Software Update Version 26.0.2. Release Date: Week of November 18, 2025. New Features, Changes. 2026 Vehicles, 2025 Softail and LiveWire S2DM/MH/AP EV3. NOTE: Digital Technician II (DT II) supports additional Harley-Davidson motorcycle models and model years outside of those listed.

SERVICE BULLETIN M1391A (REVU): MIDTRONICS GRX-3110 AND DCA-8000 SOFTWARE. PURPORSE: Revision U. The purpose of this bulletin is to inform the dealer network that a software update to the GRX-3110 and DCA-8000 is now available. DYNAMIC DIAGNOSTIC CHARGER SYSTEM (PART NUMBER: DCA-8000). [Rev U] Added: Description of improvements made to the testing algorithm for GRX software Version P and DCA-8000 software Version E.

GENUINE MOTOR PARTS AND ACCESSORIES BULLETIN PAB1171 (REV B): SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR SCREAMIN EAGLE PRO STREET TUNER. PURPOSE: Revision B. Updated: Summary. The App has returned to the Apple App Store. This bulletin informs dealers that a recent software update to the Screamin' Eagle Pro Street Tuner application will require the use of a Personal Computer (PC) to complete a Bluetooth Communication Interface (BCI) firmware update.

SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 25.8.9): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER: HD-48650). New Software Update Version 25.8.9 Release Date: Week of September 2, 2025. Changes: LiveWire 2024 S2MH: Removal of incorrect Electro Hydraulic Control Unit (EHCU) reflash support; EHCU Module (Part No. 41100123): Addressed issue where module became unrecoverable after failed reflash attempted. NOTE: Digital Technician II (DT II) supports additional Harley-Davidson motorcycle models and model years outside of those listed.

SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 25.8.7): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER: HD-48650). New Software Update Version 25.6.4, Release Date: Week of August 19, 2025. Includes New Features and Changes for the Models & Model Years listed. NOTE: Digital Technician II (DT II) supports additional Harley-Davidson motorcycle models and model years outside of those listed.

SERVICE BULLETIN M1391A (REV T): MIDTRONICS GRX-3110 AND DCA-8000 SOFTWARE. PURPORSE: Revision T. The purpose of this bulletin is to inform the dealer network that a software update to the GRX-3110 and DCA-8000 is now available. DYNAMIC DIAGNOSTIC CHARGER SYSTEM (PART NUMBER: DCA-8000). [Rev T] Updated: New Software Update, Previous Software Updates and DCA-8000. Added: 192-210335P. Software update 192-210335P for GRX-3110 and DCA-800 to add new battery part numbers.